Baptist Health’s Board of Directors has named Matthew A. Zuino as the new president and CEO, starting January 17, 2026. Zuino, who has been the chief operating officer since 2020, takes the reins from Michael A. Mayo, who is retiring after a remarkable 40-year career in healthcare leadership.
Deborah Pass Durham, chair of the board, praised Zuino as a “visionary leader” with a solid history of achieving strategic results while keeping people and communities at the forefront. She expressed confidence that he will lead Baptist Health with clarity and passion.
With over 30 years in the healthcare field, Zuino has played a key role in making Baptist Health a national leader in both clinical excellence and compassionate care. As COO, he has managed operations across various hospitals and clinics, leading to significant improvements in quality, access, and financial health. For instance, net revenue surged from $2 billion in FY 2020 to an expected $3.7 billion in FY 2026. He is recognized as a key player in shaping the organization’s vision for 2030, aiming for growth and innovation.
“This is an exciting time at Baptist Health,” Zuino said. “I’m committed to building on our 70-year legacy as the only locally headquartered, faith-based health system. Our future relies on how we listen and innovate to serve our communities better.”
Before joining Baptist Health in 2017, Zuino spent 17 years at Virtua Health in New Jersey, where he held senior leadership roles. He has a Master’s in information systems from Drexel University and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Widener University. He is also a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and will soon be the vice chair for the Board of Directors of United Way of Northeast Florida.
Former CEO Michael Mayo commended Zuino for uniting leadership around shared goals and measurable outcomes. He emphasized that true excellence in healthcare extends beyond performance metrics to also encompass culture and connection.
As health systems nationwide face challenges like staffing shortages and rising costs, transformational leaders like Zuino are crucial. According to a recent survey, 72% of healthcare executives believe that innovative leadership will be essential for navigating future challenges, highlighting the importance of Zuino’s new role.
In a world increasingly focused on patient-centered care, leaders must blend strategy with empathy. With Zuino’s track record and vision, Baptist Health is set to continue being a trusted community health leader in Northeast Florida.
For insights on current trends in healthcare leadership, you can check the latest reports from the American College of Healthcare Executives here.
